Folding table.



B. F. OHEAR.

FOLDING TABLE. i APPLICATION FILED SEPI. I8. 1914. 1,145,505. Patend July 6, 1915.

COLUMBIA PLANDGRA?H CO.. WASHlNuTaN. D. C.

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BENJAMIN E. oEEAE, or MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

FOLDING TABLE Speccationof Letters Patent. I Patentedlillly 6,1915.

, Application led September 18,1914. SerialNo. 862,314.

T 0 all whom it may concern.'

vBe it known that I, BENJAMIN F.v CREAR, citizen of the Unitedy States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin'and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains'to make and use the same.

My invention has for its object to provide an extremely simple and highly efficient folding table, which mayl be very quickly set up and takendown, and, when folded, occupies a minimum amount of space. n

lo the above end, generally stated, the invention consistsy of thenovel 'construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate `the invention, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views. i

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved folding table; Fig. 2 is a view of the same in a folded position; Fig. 3 is an vedge elevation of the table, as shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a detail view, showing the pivotal connection of the leg brackets, some parts being broken away and some of the exposed parts being shown in section; Fig. 5.is ajdetail view, partly in elevation andpartly `in section, taken on the line m5 fc5 .of Fig. 3, on an en larged scale; Fig. 6 is a detail view, partly in elevation andpartly in section,.taken on the line m m6 of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 7 is a detail view, partly in elevation and partly in section, taken on the line x7 ,m7 of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale.

The numeral 1 indicates, as shown, a relatively thin, round table top," having set .in its edge a pair of diametrically opposite axially alined sockets 2, and al pair of sockets 3, in like arrangement, which extend at right angles to the sockets 2.

Leg brackets 4 and 5, pivotally connected by an axial ystud 6, support the top 1 in an operative position, and are arranged to be folded, one within the other, and in the plane of the table. top. The leg bracket 4 comprises reversely bowed, upper and lower members 7 and 8, respectively, and the leg bracket 5 comprises correspondingly formed members 9 and 10. As shown, these members arecomposed of single flatfbars, bent into proper shape. The members of the leg bracket 5 are rigidly connected by rivets 11 at their contracting portions, andthe pivot stud 6 is jou'rnaled therein. The members 7 and 8 are placed within themembers 9 and 10, respectively, andrigidly connected, one member to each endv of the stud f6. As shown, the ends of the, stud 6 within the members 7 and 8 .are angular in'cross section, thus locking the said members against any tendencyto rotate on said stud,"one with respect to theother. 1n addition to the rivets-11 the members 9 and 10 are further rigidly connected by brace bars 12. The ends of the members'lO are' bent'laterally outward to affordioor-engaging feet 13, andthe ends ofy the member 8 are bent laterally `inward to afford floor-engaging feet 14, rigidly connected by an upwardly bowed brace bar 15.` By this construction and arrangement of the leg brackets 4 and 5, it is evident that the latter may be rotated on the stud 6 so as to permit said leg sections to be set in planes that are at right angles to each other, as shown in Fig. 1, or in the same plane, as shown in Fig. 2.

@n the end portionsof the member 7 is a pair of inwardlyprojeoting, axially alined, hollow trunnions 16, detachably and removably journaled in the 'sockets 2. This mounting of the leg bracket 4 in the sockets 2 permits the table top 1 to be swung 'on the trunnions 16 sothat either side. thereof may be turned up Vin an operative position, I

and, when folded, to be turned intoy the plane of the leg brackets 4 and, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. 1t also permits the table top 1 to be readily removed from or mountedvon theilegbrackets 4 and 5.

Mounted for endwise sliding movements in the end portions of the member 9 is a pair of axially alined, headed studs. 17, yieldingly pressed inwardvby `leaf springs 18. rFliesel springs 18 are anchored at one of VVhen, the `table is,l

tary movement on the stud 6, with respect thereto. l

If desired, suitable means may be provided for locking the table top 1 against swinging movement with respect to the leg brackets, when folded. It is, of course, understood that the table top 1 may take various forms, and to permit the same to be folded in a minimum amount of space, the members 7 and 9 of the leg brackets are preferably bent to conform to the shape of the outer edge of the table top 1. The bars from which the members 7 to 10, inclusive, are constructed are of substantially the same width as the thickness of the table top, which, as shown, is comparatively thin, thereby making it possible to fold the table into a very compact form.

These tables are intended for general use, but they are especially adapted for use in serving light lunches or refreshments, in drug stores, confectionery stores, and the like, where space is limited and trade spasmodic. When the tables are not in use, they may be folded and stored in a minimum amount of space. Owing to the compact form in which these tables may be folded, it is thought that they would be found highly serviceable for caterers, making the delivery and storing of the same a simple and inexpensive problem. If desired, one side of the table top may be covered with felt, so that the same may be used as a card table, while the other side may be used for serving lunches, it being an extremely simple matter to turn either side of the table up. It may be readily seen that the improved table would be highly serviceable for a work table, as well.

What I claim is 1. A folding table comprising a top and a pair of leg brackets, said leg brackets being connected by a pivot permitting them to fold into the same plane, one of the said brackets being pivotally connected to the marginal portion of said top and the other bracket being detachably connected to the marginal portion of said top at a different point, the said top being movable into an inoperative position, at the plane of the leg bracket to which it is pivotally connected, whereby the said two leg brackets and top are adapted to be .folded into the same plane.

2. A folding table comprising a top, and a pair of leg brackets embracing the top, one of said brackets being pivoted to the marginal edge portion of the top at diametrically opposite points, and the other thereof being detachably connected to the `marginal edge portion of the top at diametrically opposite points, said leg brackets being adapted to be folded in the same plane, one within the other, and in the plane of the top.

3. A folding table comprising a top, and a pair of leg brackets connected by an axial pivot and embracing the top, one of said leg brackets being pivoted to the marginal edge portion of the top at diametrically opposite points, and the other thereof being detachably connected to the marginal edge portion of the top at diametrically opposite points, said leg brackets being adapted to be folded in the saine plane, one within the other, and i'n the plane of the top.

Il. A folding table comprising a top, and a pair of leg brackets, connected by an axial pivot, said table top having two pairs of diametrically opposite, circumferentially spaced sockets, one of said leg brackets having a pair of axially alined tubular trunnions j ournaled in one of said pairs of sockets, and the other thereof having a pair of studs adapted to be inserted in the other pair of said sockets, when the table is open, and to be inserted in said tubular trunnions when said table is folded.

5. A folding table comprising a top, and a pair of leg brackets, connected by an axial pivot, said table top having two pairs of diametrically opposite, circumferentially spaced sockets, one of said leg brackets having a pair of axially alined tubular trunnions journaled in one of said pairs of sockets, and the other thereof having a pair of spring-pressed, endwise movable studs, adapted to be inserted in the other pair of said sockets, when the table is open, and to be inserted in said tubular trunnions when said table is folded.

6. A folding table comprising a top and a pair of leg brackets, each of said leg brackets comprising upper and lower members, the members of one of said leg brackets being spaced apart but rigidly connected by an axial bearing stud, and the upper member thereof being pivoted to said table top at diametrically opposite points, the members of the other of said leg brackets being rigidly connected and pivotally mounted on said bearing stud, and the upper member thereof being detachably securable to the table top at diametrically opposite points, said leg brackets being adapted to be folded in the same plane, one within the other, and in the plane of the table top.

In testimony whereof l affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN l?. OREAR. Witnesses:

C. A. FosNEs, f/ FRED S. MGCARGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

